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John Lewis to put on trial latest shopping technology

17 Dec '13
3 min read

John Lewis will trial three new exciting technological developments in its department stores over the festive period.

Google Street View

In another retail first, John Lewis Oxford Street is the first department store in the world to be fully mapped by Google Street View. The new service will be the largest of its kind with over 500 panoramas, allowing customers to navigate the retailer’s flagship shop and virtually walk through the aisles.

This unique experience has been designed by leading virtual tour specialists Ideal Insight to help busy shoppers plan their trips and navigate their way around the seven-floor department store.

The detailed tour showcases the magic and theatre of or flagship shop at Christmas and if the trial is successful, could see a roll out to other branches in the next two years.

Transactional Tablets

This month John Lewis Cheadle, John Lewis Brent Cross and Peter Jones will trial in store transactional tablets - enabling customers to skip the queues at till banks and make their purchases directly with the Partner (member of staff) who advised them. In a UK retail first, the tablets will be fully linked to the shop’s till systems, allowing customers to fully complete their purchase in the shop or arrange home delivery.

The tablets will give shoppers and Partners (staff) instant access to a range of product information including customer ratings and reviews on johnlewis.com and expert Partner reviews. The tablets will be trialled in a number of departments including technology and white goods.

ChargeBox

Our Peter Jones and Watford shops are involved in the final development of a trial of ChargeBox, a free to use mobile phone charging station which provides 30 minutes of power for mobile phones, tablets and other devices, allowing customers to shop for longer without fear of falling out of touch with friends, family or the web.

Equipped with a variety of cables, shoppers simply locate the correct one for their phone or tablet, connect their device and lock it safely inside the individual unit while they shop. After 30 minutes, charging stops and the device remains securely locked until the owner returns with the key to release it.

Wall mounted units have been installed in both the audio and TV departments and free standing units are located next to the Place to Eat in both shops. If successful it is hoped ChargeBox will be installed in other John Lewis shops in summer 2014.

Simon Russell, director, retail operations development at John Lewis, said: “We intend to keep investing and innovating in our shops so that they remain compelling and hassle-free places for customers, offering multiple reasons to visit them.

"Partly this will see us use an increasing amount of technology to make shopping easier and offer more "in shop help". But this is also about offering inspiring experiences, such as our recent catering partnership with Scandinavian café brand, Joe & the Juice.”

John Lewis

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